Leave the country while in Lincoln: 20 international-style restaurants you need to try

October 18, 2017

Do you love a good Indian restaurant? Thai? Italian? Something else that isn’t American cuisine? Ethnic food isn’t the first thing I think of when I think of Lincoln’s food scene, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of places that will help you get a little culture shock without even leaving your own city.

 

 

1. Copal

It’s no secret I love Copal, I’ve written about them a couple times. I feel like they’ve tweaked their menu a bit to appeal to the masses, which means some of their more creative items have left. I hope they don’t go too far, but whatever it takes to survive I’m OK with because I still love this place. But even with their typical american Mexican food, it has been better than your normal american Mexican restaurant and I still leave very happy every time I visit. If you’ve visited this blog much, you’ve probably already seen them a few times, but I don’t know how I have a list of non-american cuisine restaurants and not include them at the top. If you’re looking for new content, keep reading, there are plenty of places on this list I’ve never blogged about.
What you’re ordering: the Beef Short Ribs.
https://www.copallnk.com/

2. Parthenon

The Parthenon is also one that is going to keep showing up on a lot of my lists–And for good reason, George treats his customers right through both customer service, solid traditional dishes and my favorite, his nightly specials. I still find it amazing that I’m just happy every time I leave.
What you’re ordering: one Saganaki (OK, two Saganakis), one of the two daily specials and a flight of ice cream for dessert.
http://www.theparthenon.net/

3. The Oven

I talk a lot about the Oven Cellar, which is just fantastic. But I’m not sure I’ve ever only just included the Oven. They serve traditional Indian comfort food, and while they do it very well, sayin one place in town has beter traditional Indian than another is essentialy like saying one light American lager is better than the rest: they have their differences, and people definitely have their favorites, but when it comes down to it, they’re really all the same thing. The Oven stands out by combining some very solid curry with a great wine list and a cool atmosphere that’s suitable for dates and special occasions, which puts them over the top.
What you’re ordering: Kheema Paratha, Chicken Tikka Madras and a suggested wine from the cellar.
http://theoven-lincoln.com/

4. Blue Orchid Thai Restaurant

OK, those of you looking for a place to start reading new content, I’ve never blogged about the Blue Orchid. Wait, I’ve never blogged about the Blue Orchid? Why? I love this place, and I visit often. They have Thai that is as good as anywhere in town + a really cool building. Some adjectives that come to mind when thinking about the Blue Orchid are cool, hip, interesting, spicy, curry, yum. When you’re finished, go downstairs to the Boiler Brewing Company or walk around to Hurts Donut for dessert.
What you’re ordering: The Green Curry with pork. Add a Thai iced tea to calm the spice.
https://facebook.com/blueorchidrestaurant/

5. Issara Modern Asian Cuisine

Issara is the Blue Orchid’s sister restaurant. I was originally told they wanted somewhere they could be a little more creative than the more traditional Blue Orchid. I think they’ve succeed. It’s not a coincidence that I tell my wife every time we visit that I could eat here every night. We all know I couldn’t restrict myself to just one place, but I still get that feeling. It doesn’t hurt that they also managed to provide a hip atmosphere. Overall, it’s a winner.
What you’re ordering: Basil Duck.
http://issaracuisine.com/

6. AmuManu Ramen Bar

It took a little while for me to give AmuManu a chance since the owner decided to remove my favorite place to get a fish taco downtown (OSO Burrito) and changed it into the Ramen Bar. But thank goodness I did come around because it’s one of my frequent spots to land when I’m doing lunch. The ramen is definitely solid and their secondary stuff, Bao, stir fry noodles, dumplings etc are also spot on. A must-try restaurant for any foodie who lives in Lincoln and a worthy lunch spot if you’re visiting from out of town.
What you’re ordering: Tan Tan Men &  a stuffed jalapeno.
https://www.facebook.com/AmuRamen/

7. Momo Pizzaria & Ristorante

Momo calls itself a pizzaria, which should technically disqualify it from this list. But it’s so much more than a pizza joint. I would call it a place to get some really solid entrees with some good wine but also somewhere that has some creative pizza on the menu if that’s your gig. Throw in an upscale atmosphere and a really cool bar and it’s more than worth a visit.
What you’re ordering: Black & Blue Steak Penne pasta.
http://www.momospizzeria.com/

8. Daffodil Mediterranean Cuisine

If you want to branch out a bit to more ethnic cuisine but are afraid you won’t know what to order when you get there, Daffodil is the place for you. From the moment you walk in, Narges will treat you right. Starting by giving you a big plate of whatever you would like to try for free. So you really get to try everything before you order. Not that it makes my decision any easier because it turns out everything she has is really, really good.
What you’re ordering: you really don’t need me for this one, you get to try everything before you order!
http://daffodilmediterraneancuisineandcatering1.rodoservstar.co/

9. Blue Sushi Sake Grill

Blue is my favorite sushi restaurant in town. Unfortunately, I think I need to classify them as a chain with restaurants in 7 different states. But they’re originally from Omaha, and I fell in love with them when that was the only place they existed. So you are eating at a chain, but at least you’re eating at a Nebraska chain. With that in mind, their ability to be so successful in expansion should tell you a lot: they do what they do very well.
What you’re ordering: Crunchy Blue & the Crispy Coconut Chicken.
http://bluesushisakegrill.com/

10. Hiro 88

Much like Blue, Hiro 88 servers great sushi in a really cool atmosphere. They also started in Omaha and have started to expand a bit with 3 locations in Omaha and two in Lincoln. So in my opinion, they haven’t reached full chain status yet. I love their sushi and their entrees. They have some fun takes on some American Chineese food that are worth a try. I typically don’t go that direction because their sushi and regular entrees are good enough that they occupy my attention. I still haven’t found a better fish entree in town than the Miso-Glazed Chilean Sea Bass.
What you’re ordering: Miso-Glazed Chilean Sea Bass.
http://hiro88.com

11. Vincenzo’s Ristorante

Vincenzo’s is Lincoln’s best pure Italian restaurant. But you may be taking more of a trip to St. Louis than Italy when visiting. The Lou hints are subtle, with dishes like toasted ravioli and one that’s called “The Hill” after St. Louis’s most famous food and their Italian district respectively. But the dead giveaway is the liberal use of the cheese St. Louis is known for, Provel, throughout the menu. I believe this is one of the few places outside St. Louis you can find the stuff. As a Cardinals fan, I enjoy this connection. But I also have a special spot in my heart for Vincenzo’s because it’s where I took my wife on our first date. You’ll find us there every year on April 15th, our “meet-aversary.”
What you’re ordering: Toasted Ravioli & the Penne Diavolo.
http://www.vincenzos-ne.com/

12. Lan House

The Lan House is a narrow space that lives underneath a Cadillac in the wall. That sounds a little strange, and if you’re hoping for the same menu that you find in a typical american Chinese restaurant, you’ll find that a little strange too. As I understand, this is closer to what you might actually find at a restaurant in China. They make their own Lanzhou noodles and the noodle dishes are fantastic, so you should probably start there. But everything else I’ve tried is also great, including my favorite, the Flipped Pork Flat Buns.
What you’re ordering: Flipped Pork Flat Buns.
https://lanhouses.net/

13. Tia Lety’s

I would call Tia Lety’s something of a hidden gem in Lincoln because it’s location and building don’t exactly scream “go eat there.” But I’m very glad I found it because it is a place I “go eat there” a lot for lunch. Tia Lety’s is the only place I’ve ever had a papusa so I can’t tell you they have the best papusa’s ever. But man, if the rest of them taste even a fraction as good as they do at Tia Lety’s, I’ll need to make a trip to El Salvador to eat papusas for every meal.
What you’re ordering: Papusas! Order every kind to find your favorite, then you can’t miss the sweet corn tamale to round out the meal.
https://www.facebook.com/Tia-Letys-Restaurant-1430899530484636/

14. Banhwich Cafe

Ah, Banhwich, what else can I say about you that I haven’t already ? You have amazing sandwiches, and a great selection of some fantastic bubble tea. Every time I’m in, I smell those strange looking green waffles and they also smell fantastic. It makes me want to get one, and I almost do. But then I’m distracted by what I came in for: a pork belly banh mi and a bubble tea. I just haven’t pulled the trigger (on the green waffle, a banh bo) for some reason, can someone let me know if I’m missing out?
What you’re ordering: the pork belly banh mi.
https://www.banhwichcafe.com/

15. The Normandy

The Normandy is a traditional French restaurant. Over the years, I’ve eaten at their location when it was a Mexican restaurant, and a place that served Runza-type sandwiches. Before they moved in, I started to think of the location as a place where restaurants go to die. I can sort of see why, because it’s a little off the beaten path and the building itself leaves a bit to be desired. But the fact that Normandy has not just survived in a place nowhere else could, but also thrive: they has been a wait every time I’ve been there for dinner, that should speak to the quality of their food. If you want to experience traditional French food in Lincoln (and you should), the Normandy is your destination.
What you’re ordering: Moules, Le Pork, Fondant au Chocolat (it’s worth the wait).
http://www.thenormandylincoln.com/

16. Chef Karim’s Place

Much like Normandy, Chef Karim’s place serves up some good classic French food. Unlike the Normandy, you can also get some good Moroccan food on Friday nights. Also unlike the Normandy, the interior of Chef Karim’s Place is extremely nice, if not a bit opulent. So it absolutely fits the bill when going out for a special occasion or if you just want to elevate your typical dinner experience to the next level.
What you’re ordering: Go on Friday & go all out, get the Agadir.
https://www.chefkarimsplace.com/

17. Ichiban Sichuan

Much like the Lan House, Ichiban Sichuan has a menu that is more typical of what you’ll find in China rather than your typical American Chinese restaurant. Unlike the Lan House, Ichiban specializes in the Sichuan region of China, where things are quite spicy and I love it. You should stop in and eat here anyway, because the huge menu has good food for every type of eater (including a page of American Chinese dishes) but if you like spicy food, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t go to Ichiban Sichuan.
What you’re ordering: Thin Pancake with Minced Pork or Pickled Peppers With Braised Beef. There with a group? Get a hot pot, it’s fun.
https://www.ichibanlincoln.com/

18. Ali Baba Gyros

Ali Baba Gyros has more than just Gyros, and it’s all good. But let’s be honest, they tell you in their name what they do best, so you’re going there for a Gyro. In my opinion, they’re the best place to get a gyro in Lincoln and their right downtown so it’s perfect for lunch on a day out or for the college kids, some awesome pre-bar fuel at night.
What you’re ordering: The Hot-N-Spicy “Z” Plate.
https://www.facebook.com/AliBabaGyros/

19. Stur 22 Lounge

West African & Caribbean is what you’ll find at Stur, which is a welcome addition to Lincoln’s ethnic food scene. If you look hard enough, you can find some African and Caribbean food in other restaurants in town, but you can’t get it in as good of an atmosphere as you get at Stur. They describe themselves as “chic and welcoming,” and I agree, it is somewhere worth going on a nice night out. They’re very new right now and if they can make a go of it (i.e, withstand the test of time) you’ll definitely see them climb this list.
What you’re ordering: Caribbean Pulled Pork.
https://stur22lounge.com/

20. Pho Factory

There are a few places in town that have good pho, like the Vung Tau Pho Grill which is catty corner from the Pho Factory or the House of Hunan, which my Vietnamese student worker tells me is his favorite pho in town. But the Pho Factory has the entire package, good Pho & a nice building/atmosphere to go with it. The interior is nice enough that it’s worth a visit for any occasion, which is more than your typical Vietnamese restaurant can say. Which just creates an overall better experience, so they win the pho battle and earn a spot on this list.
What you’re ordering: The Pho, of course. I like mine with rare beef. But the Vermicelli Noodle Bowls are also worth a try.
https://www.phofactorylincoln.com/

Quick hits: a few others that stand out.

Biji’s Best: Great Indian food from a gas station quick stop.

Florio’s Italian Restaurant & Grille: Some solid Italian.

The Sultan’s Kite: Not a fan of the Subway style “create your own dish/have it your way” concept, but the food is always so good I keep going back anyway.

Blessing Thai Restaurant: My spot for Thai when I want something spicier than the other Thai places.

Ginger: your place for a good non-chain mongolian grill + good off the menu entrees in a nice setting.

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2 thoughts on “Leave the country while in Lincoln: 20 international-style restaurants you need to try”

  1. A great list! We move to Lincoln later this year and I’m excited to try some of these, thanks!

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